A Farewell to the World

 FALSE world good night！ since thou hast brought

    That hour upon my morn of age；

    Henceforth I quit thee from my thought

    My part is ended on thy stage.

    Yes threaten do. Alas¹！ I fear

    As little as I hope from thee：

    I know thou canst not show nor bear

    More hatred² than thou hast to me.

    My tender first and simple years

    Thou didst abuse and then betray；

    Since stir'd'st up jealousies³ and fears

    When all the causes were away.

    Then in a soil hast planted me

    Where breathe the basest of thy fools；

    Where envious⁴ arts professèd be

    And pride and ignorance the schools；

    Where nothing is examined weigh'd

    But as 'tis rumour'd so believed；

    Where every freedom is betray'd

    And every goodness tax'd or grieved.

    But what we're born for we must bear：

    Our frail⁵ condition it is such

    That what to all may happen here

    If 't chance to me I must not grutch.

    Else I my state should much mistake

    To harbour a divided thought

    From all my kind—that for my sake

    There should a miracle be wrought⁶.

    No I do know that I was born

    To age misfortune sickness grief：

    But I will bear these with that scorn

    As shall not need thy false relief.

    Nor for my peace will I go far

    As wanderers do that still do roam；

    But make my strengths such as they are

    Here in my bosom⁷ and at home.